Unwrapping Christmas: The Glitter, The Chaos, The Gift That Lasts By Gabriel Weil

Christmas: a glittering cacophony of traditions stitched together with tinsel and overzealous cheer. In America, it's about guzzling eggnog (bourbon mandatory), decking halls with overachieving lights, and an unholy turkey encore from Thanksgiving. In England, we're stuffing birds with chestnuts, drowning in mulled wine, and flambéing puddings like pyromaniac pastry-chef apprentices. France, of course, wins the elegance award with foie gras, oysters, and a Bûche de Noël that looks like it belongs in the Louvre. Behind it all? Pagan rituals, Christian lore, and the Victorians' obsession with festive pomp.

But let's cut to what matters: presents. Once upon a time, it wasn't all scented candles and sad, mass-produced biscuits tins. Ancient Romans exchanged coins, pottery, and olive oil during Saturnalia's riotous feasts. St. Nicholas upped the stakes with cash handouts for struggling maidens, and by the 19th century, the Victorians turned gift-giving into a Dickensian spectacle. Now? We've landed in the age of the gift voucher—a heartwarming declaration of, "I didn't know what to get you."

And yet, the season's minefield isn't the presents; it's the overindulgence. Temptation lurks everywhere: impulse buys, marathon snacking, and hangovers that could floor a reindeer. It's a health hazard dressed in glitter. Research proves it—December's chaotic habits wreak havoc on sleep, digestion, and sanity. And that's not even counting the mental gymnastics of surviving certain relatives' company.

Here's where I might risk exile. In a world of dopamine-chasing luxury and fleeting gratification, wellbeing is the ultimate gift. Forget the Row's Margaux bag (ok, that's pushing it) or the throwaway books (says the co-author of The Modern Apothecary, which is a must-read and should be on your gift list). The person you love deserves something that enhances their life from within.

Enter anatomē, purveyors of powerful formulations that can transform their sleep nights or soothe frazzled nerves. Wellbeing parfums can invigorate their mornings with a spark of Energy, put their thoughts in Order, make them feel Protection, help their Balance - or Focus, and trigger a shift in their Expression. anatomē's formulations can improve digestion or turn their home into a haven.

And more, you can take indulgence to the next level with a wellbeing hamper: anatomē's invigorating take on the ultimate Christmas and New Year’s gift. The same wicker trunk, not a single calorie inside, but a stunning selection of delightful life-enhancing formulations.

Accompany your gift with a heartfelt message, and watch any doubts melt away—like a child unenthusiastically unwrapping pyjamas, only to discover they're the season's softest, most comforting surprise. Unlike panettone, wellbeing is an indulgence with staying power. And that, dear reader, is the gift that truly keeps on giving.

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future." – Agnes M. Pahro, mid-20th-century American writer and artist.